Barbourville, KY. – Douglas Wayne Gibbs, 80, of Girdler, KY, passed away September 7, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Douglas was the son of Thomas Payton Gibbs and Bertha Flickanger Gibbs born to them on July 10, 1942, in London, Kentucky.
Douglas was a US Army Veteran. During his service, he worked as a cook and barber. After returning home, Douglas worked for General Motors for many years as a machine operator. He also worked as a truck driver. Douglas was a member of Beacon Baptist Church and a Mason. It was Douglas’s character though that he will be most remembered for. Douglas was known for his sweet personality. He was a selfless man, always helping and giving to others in need. He was dedicated to his community, volunteering his time to support local charities. Douglas, along with his beloved wife, created and maintained a food pantry to help feed the hungry in their community. Douglas loved his family mightily and preferred spending time with them above all else. Douglas enjoyed playing with his grandchildren, hosting family get-togethers and cooking. Two of his specialties were vegetable soup and chili. In his spare time, Douglas liked to be outside farming – he had pigs, cows, and horses. He also liked to work in his vegetable garden where he grew delicious tomatoes and onions. Douglas also enjoyed visiting farmer’s markets and debating current events with family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Thomas Payton Gibbs and Bertha Flickanger, Douglas was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife, Margie Ann Swafford Gibbs; granddaughter Celesti Griffith; siblings Donald Payton Gibbs, Thomas “Ed” Gibbs, Kenneth Gibbs, Sonny Gibbs, Sonia Gibbs, Dorothy Fike, and Nancy Dunn; and sister-in-law Sue Gibbs.
Left behind to mourn his passing are his children, daughters Tammy Shawn Gibbs Frasher (Chad) of London, Kentucky, and Robin Elaine Gibbs Folkerth (Robert) of Kettering, Ohio and son Robert Braxton Turtletaub (Whitney) of Corbin, Kentucky and brother Norman Gibbs (Della). Ten grandchildren: Megan Nantz, Douglas Saunders, Whitney Judy, Jaydane Brown, Jennie Blue Frasher, Zoie Turtletaub, Alexis Frasher, Kate Hood, William Folkerth, Brooke Jett and eight great grandchildren: Bryce Judy, Logan Judy, Keyara Saunders, Jack Hood, Allie Hood, Brooke Jett, Izzabella Saunders, and J’vari Durham also survive Douglas and will miss him dearly.
The Gibbs Family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 4:00 PM. Reverend Dennis Gibbs will officiate. Interment will follow in the Hammons Cemetery at Green Road, Knox County, Kentucky. The Gibbs Family has chosen for Casket Bearers: Nigel Durham, Brad Judy, Robert Folkerth, Chad Frasher, Douglas Saunders, and Robert Braxton Turtletaub.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Douglas Wayne Gibbs.
Hopper Funeral Home, inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Douglas Wayne Gibbs.
